The Palace of Versailles offers several vehicle rental options to help you cover the vast 800-hectare estate: electric golf carts (from €42/hour), regular bikes (from €8/30 min), electric bikes and tandems (from €16/30 min), the Little Train (€9 return), and rowing boats on the Grand Canal (€16/30 min). All hire points are located near Petite Venise (Little Venice) near the Grand Canal, and on the South Terrace adjacent to the palace. Bikes are not permitted in the formal gardens but can be used throughout the Park.
The Palace of Versailles estate covers 800 hectares — from the formal gardens directly in front of the palace to the Grand Canal a kilometre away, and the Trianon Estate another 25 minutes beyond that. Walking everything is possible, but tiring. Renting a vehicle lets you cover far more ground, spend more time exploring and less time in transit, and reach the quieter corners of the estate that most visitors never see. Here’s a complete guide to every vehicle rental option at Versailles, with prices and practical tips.
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Table of Contents
Golf Cart / Electric Vehicle Rental
Electric golf carts are the most popular vehicle rental at Versailles — comfortable, easy to drive, covered from the sun and rain, and capable of covering the full estate including the Trianon Estate and Grand Canal. Each cart accommodates four adults, or three adults plus two children. If your group is larger than three adults, the driver must hold a valid driving licence and be at least 24 years old.
Each golf cart is equipped with a geolocation system and a built-in audio guide in 8 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese), so you’ll have commentary as you drive through the estate. For a fully guided private golf cart tour with a historian guide, see our Private Golf Cart Tour.
| Detail | Information |
| Hire points | South Terrace (adjacent to palace) · Petite Venise (near Grand Canal) |
| Minimum hire | 60 minutes |
| Price | €42 per person for first 60 minutes |
| Additional time | €10 per additional 15 minutes |
| Payment | Credit card or cash |
| Driver requirements | Min. age 24; valid driving licence required |
| Disability access | 6 carts specially equipped; 40% discount applies |
| Operating hours (Apr–Oct) | 10 am – 6:45 pm (last departure 5:45 pm) |
| Operating hours (Nov–Mar) | 10 am – 5 pm (last departure 4 pm) |
| Audio guide | 8 languages included via built-in system |
Note: Golf cart rental closes early on Musical Fountains Show days and is closed in January at the Petite Venise hire point.
Bike and Tandem Rental
Bikes are a great way to cover the Park of Versailles — the wilder, quieter area beyond the formal gardens that includes the Grand Canal and the forested paths. Important: bikes are not permitted in the formal gardens, only in the Park. The main hire point is next to Petite Venise; additional hire points open at the Saint Anthony Gate and Queen’s Gate on weekends and public holidays.
Regular Bike Prices
| Duration | Cost |
| 30 minutes | €8 |
| 60 minutes | €10 |
| Additional 15 minutes | €2.50 |
| Half-day (4 hours) | €21 |
| Full day (8 hours) | €23 |
Electric Bike and Tandem Prices
| Duration | Cost |
| 30 minutes (minimum) | €16 |
| Additional 15 minutes | €4 |
| Additional 30 minutes | €12 |
Bike hire is available from 10 am. Closing times vary by season: 5:30 pm (mid-February to end of March), 6:45 pm (April to October), and 5 pm (early to mid-November). Last ticket is sold 30 minutes before closing.
For a guided full-day cycling experience that includes round-trip train tickets from Paris, a visit to the Versailles market, and skip-the-line palace entry, see our Versailles Palace Bike Tour.
The Little Train
The Little Train (Petit Train) is the easiest way to reach the Trianon Estate from the main palace without the 25–30 minute walk. It departs from the Château, stops at the Grand Canal, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon, then returns to the Château. The full circuit takes around 50 minutes. You can board and alight at any stop — a return ticket allows you to hop on the next train at any point.
| Ticket Type | Price |
| Round trip (return) | €9 |
| One way (single circuit) | €5 |
| Reduced (13–18 years) | €7 |
| Child (up to 12 years) | Free |
| Season | Operating Hours |
| January to March | 11:10 am – 5:10 pm |
| April to June | 11:10 am – 6:10 pm |
| July to August | 10:40 am – 6:10 pm |
| September to October | 11:10 am – 6:10 pm |
| November to December | 11:10 am – 5:10 pm |
The Little Train is open every day except Mondays. It can accommodate one or two wheelchairs with assistance from the driver, making it the best option for visitors with reduced mobility wanting to reach the Trianon Estate. Tickets are purchased at the ticketing office in Versailles.
Rowing Boats on the Grand Canal
One of the most enjoyable — and most underused — activities at Versailles is hiring a rowing boat on the Grand Canal. The canal stretches 1.7 km east to west and 1 km north to south; rowing it at a gentle pace with the palace in the distance is a genuinely memorable experience. The hire point is on the banks of the Grand Canal near Petite Venise.
| Duration | Cost |
| 30 minutes | €16 |
| 60 minutes | €20 |
| Additional 15 minutes | €5 |
| Additional 30 minutes | €16 |
Boat hire is seasonal — closed from mid-November to end of February. Operating hours vary: 1 pm–5:30 pm (March, weekdays), 11 am–6:45 pm (April–June, weekdays), 10 am–6:45 pm (July–August), 1 pm–6:45 pm (September–October, weekdays). Weekends and public holidays generally open earlier. The last ticket is sold 30 minutes before closing.
Which Vehicle Is Right for You?
| Vehicle | Best For | Can Use In Gardens? | Covers Trianon? |
| Golf cart | Families, seniors, large distances | Yes | Yes — easily |
| Regular bike | Active visitors, Park cycling | No — Park only | Yes (30+ min ride) |
| Electric bike / tandem | Couples, longer distances | No — Park only | Yes |
| Little Train | Families, limited mobility, quickest Trianon access | N/A | Yes — direct stop |
| Rowing boat | Relaxed, scenic Grand Canal time | N/A | No — Grand Canal only |
FAQs
Here are frequently asked questions about Vehicle Rentals at Versailles Palace.
What should I bring when renting a vehicle?
A valid driver’s license, a credit card for the deposit, and any booking confirmation or ID if required.
Is there any time restriction on renting a golf cart in Versailles?
There is no time limit to returning the golf cart until closing time. However, the minimum rental duration is 60 minutes.
Can we adjust the speed of the golf cart?
No. The golf cart has a standard speed, and there is no provision for you to adjust it. However, you will not need the facility as it is set to move leisurely.
Is Segway suitable for all?
No. Children under 14, pregnant women, and adults under 45 kg and above 127 kg are not allowed to take the Segway Tour.
